HDD Repair - Seagate Barracuda 2TB - Board Replacement - BIOS / Firmware Chip Swap.

In this video we'll do a relativly simple repair on a SATA HDD.

[@GameTechRefuge]

Dislike ? Thumbs up here.

[@stevelibby3]

Is it possible to just put the disk inside of a replacement of the same drive? Will it not mount this way? I have a 500 GB Barracuda that became rather noisy and was clicking- I followed instructions to get the arm unstuck... No more clicking, but the drive isn't mounting. "disk inserted not readable by this computer" is the error message on older model Mac Pro tower. I just received the exact same drive to perform further repairs- but now unclear if I need to swap chips, or disks. Thanks in advance!

[@GameTechRefuge]

@@stevelibby3 With a mechanical issue like that it's best not to mess with the platters outside of a clean room. Even attempting to un-jam the heads can knock the platters out of alignment. If the platters lose alignment it could be game over. The only way around it would be to send to a data recovery pro. It's expensive and there's no guarantee they'll except it if you've opened it up already. If you've got nothing to lose and still want to give it a go, I suggest checking out this video. Over on Louis Rossmann's channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGqzZYiXmbeXhKM Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Reply comments on the pinned comment don't always pop up in my notifications.

[@stevelibby3]

@@GameTechRefuge Thanks, I appreciate the info!

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Nicely done. I just had my bias swapped to a new board. But in my case I didn't have any luck with it showing up on my computer once I put the hard drive back in. The repairman said send it back he will take another look at it. So time will tell. He did a great video and I just subscribed. Keith Kuhn

[@redangrybird7564]

​@@KTHKUHNKK how did it go?

[@SLRModShop]

Good to know that it is an option! Especially for people with a NAS who bought all their drives (identical) at the same time, good to know that one could eventually save the other. I'll send this video to my friend, he might be interested.

[@GadgetUK164]

Great stuff =D The other thing the EEPROM likely holds is plater specific info related to defects, and security info! The two are paired effectively, even exact same size exact same model.

[@himeccms893]

Wow, that hot air desoldering took a long time, as its only an 8 pin chip, I think I'll do it the old fashioned soldering iron way

[@GameTechRefuge]

Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Better to take your time and not kill the chip. Setting the hot air temp higher might be fast but the chance of bricking the chip is high.

[@cheradaninezakalwe2851]

Why do you remove the chip and not just use a CH341A programmer to copy and download the data from one to the other?

[@dvjmthemixmaster4442]

👏Brilliant. I have always wondered what is the solution to recovering data from a dead HDD.

[@SimonZerafa]

Hi Dermot, I am assuming that you looked for a fuse or similar on the original board that could have gone open as a result of the power cable mishap? 🙂🤷‍♂️

[@GameTechRefuge]

Hi Simon. Had tested fuses and diodes around the power in ( off camera ). Drive had a friends video projects on it, so didn't want to take any chances. Was playing it safe by just swapping the entire board. Figured it might be riskier if folk bridged across a damaged fuse or diode, might end up making things worse.

[@filipes.5354]

Genius! Thank you so much

[@kermitthegaminghermit8736]

What song is that at around 6 minutes? I get a Sega vibe. Looking forward to trying this out and salvaging some memories!

[@GameTechRefuge]

It's from Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold. Guy Stage Them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4CxmaGImKacrM0

[@SB-qw7di]

@@GameTechRefuge Very nice video and clear but one thing no body makes clear that just say my board has same model matches the donor hardrive.First 3 Serial Number matches donor. Doesn't back pcb number need to also match donor hardrive for platter swap/ Just swap your own pcb board to the donor if it's in good working then transfer that pcb board and if it damaged look for similar one . Would you say for platter swap just look for for first 3 serial number on the donor board matches the one you want to swap and also just tranfer Bios chip to the donor board. If you answer it will help another people. The purpose of the video to help us understand. I hope you can make another video explaining about this same transfer in details. Putting 2 seagate hardrive on video. if this is not possible please make a video explaining.

[@roseadindadinda785]

Excuse me, I just found your video seeking for an answer. I’m succeded in removing the bios chip, but after that my hand got slip and I lost the chip. The chip is nowhere to be found. What should I do?

[@GameTechRefuge]

I don't have good news for you unfortunately. The data on the BIOS chip is unique to your drive. There is a very, very small chance that drives of the exact same production run, manufactured and assembled on the same day in the factory may have the same BIOS but there is unlikely. Without that BIOS chip there is no way to recover the drive. Even if you have access to the the tools used in the factory. Recovery would be very, very difficult.

[@kruno7150]

nice vid :) I wonder would it be possible just to copy firmware from one board to another (using CH341a or similar)

[@GameTechRefuge]

I imagine it might be possible. I use a TOP3000 but it would be basically the same as TL866, CH341a or others. In circuit programming might be the only problem. Would need to check the data sheet for the chip but it could be possible.

[@user-ig5di9wc6l]

Great video! Do you do repairs? Many thanks

[@GameTechRefuge]

Thanks. I don't do repairs professionally. I fix stuff for friends and neighbors but that's different.

[@dsconnct]

Will the BIOS chip get damaged if you accidentally soldered it the wrong way?

[@GameTechRefuge]

Yes, It could fry the BIOS chip. If it's only powered on for a few seconds, you might be OK but I'd strongly advise taking your time and making sure to get it orientated the right way around.

[@dsconnct]

@@GameTechRefuge Thanks for that info! You're the best!

[@GIacius]

so I'm looking into buying all these things to attempt this on one of my drives and I'm assuming a heat gun is out of the question? don't even try it with the heat gun?

[@GameTechRefuge]

Yeah, a regular heat gun on any electronics is a bog no. A hot air rework station is the way to go. Their very cheap, cheaper then a heat gun. Have a look for a 858D. You'll find loads of these 858D clones on ebay and Amazon. Their nothing special as hotair rework stations go but they'll get the job done. I'd practice removing chips from junk electronics first to practice before attempting the repair, if it's your first time working with hot air. Old modems or network cards. Any old junk board will do. Flux is your friend, so use plenty when taking stuff off and soldering on.

[@NaitorStudios]

What is this yellow tape? And what temperature should I use?

[@GameTechRefuge]

The tape is called Kapton tape. It's designed to handle temperatures. 340-350 should work for the hot air. This may vary +/- 10C depending on the time of year. Remember to use plenty of flux and you should be fine.

[@dsconnct]

I just did this process and sadly my hard drive still is not detected. I can hear the hard drive spinning but it's not detected by my PC. Can you please help?

[@benvanschaik7949]

2:13 What for tool is on your screwdriver? I think i have not the right tool to open up the screws.

[@GameTechRefuge]

Those are Torx Bits. Also known as security bits. They are available on ebay, amazon and most hardware stores. Their not expensive and are handy to have a set around.

[@benvanschaik7949]

@@GameTechRefuge Thanks, do you know the exact size?

[@GameTechRefuge]

Sorry, I don;t but their part of the standard Torx set range. So if you manage to pick up some, then you should be OK.

[@mizdebsk]

is there any other option to read this chip without desoldering it ? e.g. via Seagate firmware dump and writing in on another drive then swap the pcb boards?

[@GameTechRefuge]

I'm not sure but you might have to solder leads and dump over serial. Easier to just dive in and swap.

[@riknaddal2231]

...i have bought 2 sata desktop hdds less than 6 months ago online that may or may not have been refurbished(one WD 4tb hdd,one Seagate 4tb hdd)...and both have developed disk read/write delays and)or bad sector problems and was wondering that if i swapped out the sata hdd Firmware boards would it might solve the the heavy read/write delay issues....anyone??

[@GameTechRefuge]

I don't think a board swap will help in your case. Sounds like your drive heads or drive motors might be coming to end of life. Do the drives sound normal. Is there anything unusual about the noise their making. If their crunching or chirping allot then that's not good. Regardless plan on getting the data off now and retire the drives. Don't try to copy all the data off in one session. Allow time for the drives to cool down. Overheating the drives with long read operations could be bad if their starting fail. All that said a board and firmware swap won't help. Try to keep the drive cool with a fan and don;t try to get the data off in one shot. If they are 4TB do like 500GB at a time and shut down and allow to cool for 10-15mins. Then do the next 500GB. Try not to push them too hard but replace them asap.

[@XtremeFloorCare]

Does it matter which direction you place the bios chip on the new board

[@GameTechRefuge]

Yes, pin one needs to be aligned to pin 1 pad on the PCB. Take some photos before removing the chip. There should be a small dot marking pin one on the top pf the chip.

[@dvjmthemixmaster4442]

Yes!!!!

[@XtremeFloorCare]

@@GameTechRefuge Thank you my chip had no markings on at all , all sorted out I was able to recover all the information on my disk

[@redangrybird7564]

​@@XtremeFloorCare how did you desolder the chip, I mean air gun or something like that?

[@XtremeFloorCare]

@@redangrybird7564 Hi...I used an air station ....I managed to download all the files successfully and the hard drive is still working. I purchased a new drive with the exact same serial numbers , removed the BIOS chip and soldered it in place.

[@MyRandomNick]

How can I recognize the BIOS chip? There are two 8 pins chips on the PCB

[@GameTechRefuge]

If in doubt you should be able to Google search the part number to find a Datasheet. This should tell you if you have found the right chip. It varies from drive to drive but you should be able to find out.

[@dronemavic2111]

Hard disk not show what solution

[@placecatcher7542]

I have the same HDD . But it's not powering on. 🥺

[@GameTechRefuge]

Could be the same issue. Just make sure the PSU you are using is OK before moving forward.

[@dronemavic2111]

Brother not show hard disk

[@andresbudihardja]

how to do it with 88i6745 TFJ1

[@GameTechRefuge]

With the Flash ROM integrated into an MCU like this, the repair process should be the same. If you can find the right matching PCB then you should be able to transplant the MCU. There are more pins and their quite small, so take your time. A good iron with a small tip and lots of flux, should do the job. Solder paste and hot air might be easier but I don't have much experience using paste myself but other people often recommended paste.